ENDORSING
PUBLIC HOUSING REFORM DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM KNOWN AS FREEDOM TO HOUSE
WHEREAS,
President Bush has asked Congress to create a demonstration program in 2005
called Freedom to House, which is
designed to improve public housing; and
WHEREAS,
experience gained from the existing Moving
to Work pilot program shows that residents benefit from the increased
flexibility given to Public Housing Authorities (PBAs); and
WHEREAS,
participating PHAs have concluded that Moving
to Work encourages residents to seek employment, work more steadily, and
pursue opportunities to increase their income; and
WHEREAS,
the demonstration sought by the President will provide greater flexibility for
PHAs to administer their low rent housing units and move toward asset-based
management, a fundamental recommendation of the congressionally mandated
Harvard Public Housing Cost Study and the Millennial Housing Commission; and
WHEREAS,
participating PHAs will also be able to combine capital and operating funds to
utilize HUD’s rental assistance more effectively; and
WHEREAS,
this demonstration will advance our knowledge of workable public housing
reforms that promote the quality of life of families residing in public
housing, as well as good property management and the continuing preservation of
low rent housing.
THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the U.S. Conference of Mayors, in partnership with the
Federal government, wishes to help improve public housing by supporting the Freedom to House demonstration program
and strongly encourages PHAs to participate in this program.
©2004 U.S. Conference of Mayors 